BLOG TOUR {Review #47 and Giveaway}: Ever by Jessa Russo

Title: Ever
Author: Jessa Russo
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Release Date: October 1st 2012
Pages: Paperback, 295 pages
Rating: 2.5 Stars
Source: Author provided copy

Summary from Goodreads:
Seventeen-year-old Ever’s love life has been on hold for the past two years. She’s secretly in love with her best friend Frankie, and he’s completely oblivious.

Of course, it doesn't help that he’s dead, and waking up to his ghost every day has made moving on nearly impossible.

Frustrated and desperate for something real, Ever finds herself falling for her hot new neighbor Toby. His relaxed confidence is irresistible, and not just Ever knows it. But falling for Toby comes with a price that throws Ever’s life into a whirlwind of chaos and drama. More than hearts are on the line, and more than Ever will suffer.

Some girls lose their hearts to love.

Some girls lose their minds.

Ever Van Ruysdael could lose her soul.

Ever is not your typical senior in high school, she is in love with her best friend Frankie who just happens to be a ghost. Frankie and Ever were in a car crash, Frankie did not make it but his ghost gave Ever the courage to get away from the wreck, find help and survive. Ever feels almost obligated to Frankie, she has not moved on in two years instead she continues an awkward friendship with the ghost version of Frankie. Frankie lives with Ever and her family, the family and Ever’s best friend have somewhat accept the concept that Frankie is a ghost that lives with them.

Ever’s life is tossed upside down when Toby, the mysterious, older new neighbor moves into Frankie’s old house. The two eventually start dating, Ever ignoring some of the warning signs that Toby might not be who he claims to be. And to make matters better, Frankie now seems to have feelings for her which further complicates her love life.  The drama continues to unfold throughout the story, as the reader learns the truth about Toby and adjusts to the changes in Frankie.

The first couple chapters confused me a bit, Ever seemed to have this deep unrequited love for Frankie but as soon Toby came along BOOM she really wanted him too. Then as soon as Toby and Ever start to date, Frankie of course decides he wants Ever and beings to flirt with her. It was not even the love triangle that really bothered me, it was Ever. She was so flip floppity with who she wanted to be with, one chapter she loves Toby the next she is back to pining for Frankie. She seemed overdramatic at times. I was not a huge fan of Frankie either, I was definitely voting for Toby. Frankie seemed to always be there at the right time to comfort poor Ever after a nightmare or a fight with Toby.

I did like the dynamic between Ever and her best friend Jessie; Jessie is the exact opposite, she loves pink, guys, and her best friend, Ever. Jessie was full of witty comments and spunk. Even though Toby was sometimes a jerk, Jessa Russo did an excellent job of developing the character. When the Toby’s secrets were discovered it gave clarity to all his actions and some of the original issues I had with him as a character dissipated. There was method to the insta-love madness!

The plot pacing was a bit off, sometimes slow and other times full of action.  The beginning was not my favorite but the story did pick up, the last 75 pages really brought the story back to life.

Overall I would have to give Ever 2.5 stars; the complicated and sometimes confusing love triangle was not for me. That being said, I think the story line itself has potential and I do intend to read the next book in the series. The elements outside of the love triangle (Toby’s secrets) were unexpected and I look forward to reading what will come of Frankie’s “new” self.  

GIVEAWAY: Signed Copy of Ever

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